Does Memory Foam Wear Out
by | Last UpdatedChoosing bedroom furniture is an important decision.
This is because your bedroom is your sanctuary and personal haven. So everything inside your bedroom should be comfortable, aesthetically appealing and obviously benefiting to you.
Your bed is undeniably the most important thing in your bedroom, so it needs to be as comfortable as possible.
When choosing your bed, the type of mattress is crucial. And one of the most popular types of mattresses being purchased today are memory foam mattresses.
However, does memory foam eventually wear out?
The simple answer to that question is yes, it does.
However, the long answer is that there are various factors that determine how quickly a memory foam mattress will wear out.
In the following article, we’re going to take a look at the benefits of memory foam mattresses and how you can prolong it’s lifespan.
The Science Behind Memory Foam
Contents
- The Science Behind Memory Foam
- So What Makes Memory Foam Different?
- Why Does Memory Foam Get Softer As It Gets Hotter?
- Are Memory Foam Mattresses Hygienic?
- Memory Foam As A Material
- They Provide A True Body Fit
- They Offer Temperature Regulation
- They Offer Pain Relief
- Memory Foam Mattresses Are Allergy-Friendly
- Motion Transfer Resistance
- Memory Foam Is Sag-Free
- What Is The Usual Lifetime Of Memory Foam Mattress, Pillow?
- How To Prolong It?
- Conclusion
Something that everyone knows is the key to a good day and increased productivity is a good night’s rest.
However, the single most important factor that has a huge impact on your quality of sleep is your bed and mattress.
So it makes perfect sense that you should find the most reliable and comfortable bed to ensure that you get the best possible sleep at night.
Conventional spring mattresses used to be the most popular type of mattresses; however, more and more people are turning to memory foam beds due to the numerous benefits they offer.
So What Makes Memory Foam Different?
Well, your body tissue is basically wrapped around a skeleton which is a hard structure.
Conventional bed mattresses with soft material are supported by coiled metal strings, and it won’t fully respond to the contours of your body.
So the amazing yet straightforward idea behind memory foam is that instead of sleeping on the springs you should sleep on thick foam which will give way wherever you press.
Memory foam mattresses are made from viscoelastic. So when you apply force, it will move, and when you release it, it will return to its original state.
Memory foam is even temperature sensitive so as your body warms up, the foam will sink more. The memory foam also has the capability of supporting your body weight and keeping your spine straight.
It also splits your weight evenly across the mattress. Ultimately, pressure points will be relieved in places such as your hips and shoulders.
Why Does Memory Foam Get Softer As It Gets Hotter?
When you heat a viscous liquid, it becomes runny and less viscose. So it’s not surprising that viscosity of memory foam dramatically depends on temperature.
The hotter it gets, the less viscose your mattress will become. So, in other words, the memory foam becomes more flexible with heat.
Increased humidity will have a similar effect on your foam mattress. Some memory foam mattresses are made from reticulated foam rather than solid foam.
They possess more of the open cell structure that improves ventilation and lets moisture get away from the body as you sleep.
Are Memory Foam Mattresses Hygienic?
Memory foam mattresses that have a higher density are more hygienic than others since bed bugs don’t like residing in foam.
So memory foam reduces the chance of bedbug infestations.
Some of the best memory foam mattresses are designed using antibacterial agents as well as deodorants that are added to the polymer mix and ultimately enhances the overall hygiene of the mattress.
Memory Foam As A Material
Another primary component used in manufacturing memory foam mattresses is polyurethane.
Polyurethane is made by combining water and hydrocarbons that are mostly found in petroleum. This polyurethane foam is then mixed with additional chemicals to form memory foam.
Most manufacturers use other blowing agents, compounds additives and complex procedures to form an open cell structure.
Ultimately, this whole process makes memory foam softer. Other additives such as surfactants and fire retardant chemicals are also added to the memory foam.
Memory foam has a unique feel to it and contours your body like no other type of mattress.
If you are still sprung on spring mattresses, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of sleeping on a memory foam mattress.
They Provide A True Body Fit
Mattresses made of memory foam mold actively to the natural shape of your body and responds to pressure and heat.
This allows your body to be evenly distributed, and once you remove the pressure from the memory foam, it is returned to its original shape.
They Offer Temperature Regulation
Your body temperature has an impact on how well you sleep, when sleeping on a memory foam mattress.
This is because a temperature-sensitive material is used in the manufacturing of memory foam mattresses, and ultimately this allows them to adjust to your body weight and heat.
As the temperature of your body increases, the memory foam also becomes softer, providing a higher quality of sleep.
If you are in an area with a warmer climate, you may want to consider purchasing a memory foam mattress that comes with a cooling feature and optimal breathability.
They Offer Pain Relief
Memory foam mattresses have various benefits such as relieving aches and pains as well as stiffness and soreness in the joints.
Your body is able to recover more rapidly from existing injuries while sleeping on a memory foam mattress. These mattresses are also capable of displacing pressure on your pressure points.
The areas of your body that ache have a higher temperature level than the rest of the body.
Memory foam efficiently detects this difference in temperature and either reduces or increases the pressure to the affected area accordingly.
Memory Foam Mattresses Are Allergy-Friendly
According to recent studies, a standard mattress contains between 100,000 to 10 million dust mites.
Memory foam mattresses, on the other hand, are made of polyurethane foam and composed of fibers that effectively prevent dust mites that cause allergies.
So unlike traditional mattress materials, the dense composition of memory foam prevents allergens from accumulating over time.
Motion Transfer Resistance
Memory foam mattresses are the sensible option for couples as it absorbs excessive surface movement and reduces the disturbance caused by movement.
So these mattresses are the solution for individuals who sleep with partners that tend to toss and turn throughout the night.
Memory Foam Is Sag-Free
The third generation of memory foam mattresses is designed using high-grade adaptive materials. Therefore the right blend of firmness and softness is created.
Due to the open cell design of these mattresses, sleepers do not experience sagging.
So ultimately, this leads to a better quality of sleep and a more rested feeling when getting up in the morning.
What Is The Usual Lifetime Of Memory Foam Mattress, Pillow?
If it takes a long time for your memory foam pillow or mattress to return to its original shape, then it’s time to replace it with a new one.
There are some factors which can guide you when it comes to replacing a memory foam pillow or mattress, such as the elasticity and temperature sensitivity of these items.
Lots of manufacturers use high-quality memory foam for creating these memory foam pillows, and they are considered crucial for the health of your neck and shoulders.
Like other types of pillows, memory foam pillows also lose their shape and other features with continued usage.
Temperature sensitivity of memory foam is also affected with time, and this often serves as a reminder for when you need to change a memory foam pillow or mattress.
You can usually feel the difference when your memory foam mattresses and pillows are no longer adjusting to the contour of your body or absorbing heat from your body and surroundings.
This will lead to coldness and a lack of warmth which often is associated with memory foam pillows and mattresses as they age.
Irrespective of these changes, medical advisers and medical practitioners recommend changing your memory foam pillows after approximately 2 to 3 years of continued use.
Memory foam pillows that last longer than this are usually of a higher quality and also much more expensive.
A good memory foam mattress will last anywhere between 10 to 15 years; however, higher quality and more expensive ones may last longer.
How To Prolong It?
Although memory foam mattresses do not contain any boxsprings or coiled metal spring systems, there are still a few things you can do to make them last longer.
Some of the things you can do to prolong the life of your memory foam mattress is using a mattress protector from the beginning, washing bed linen regularly, not allowing your pet’s to sleep on your mattress and rotating the mattress regularly.
Conclusion
Choosing the best mattress ultimately boils down to personal preferences.
When it comes to mattress foam though, memory foam is still one of the most highly durable mattresses out there.
For those suffering from back problems, memory foam mattress brings a good night’s sleep, ultimately giving you a more rested feeling when getting up in the morning.
A good night’s rest will also give you a better day ahead and increase your productivity.
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